Well the answer is Too Much.

Why do I not like Auto-DMs/replies?

I like to use Twitter as a means of connecting with other people in real time. When I get a DM or a reply, I hop on my computer and reply back. It takes very little time and shows I care about the person connecting and conversing with me. Now imagine my frustration when I reply to 30+ direct messages and get no responses. What happens is people set these things up and then just ‘let them do all work’.

The whole auto-DM epidemic has actually resulted in me sending less DMs and I scrutinize every incoming tweet to judge its authenticity.

So in the end, if you don’t have time to reply to every new follower, then don’t. I’d rather get to know you through your public tweets than receive an empty welcome.

Why do I not like follow schemes?

You have most likely seen it several times in your public twitter stream

“Joe Shmoe has a crazy idea. 19,530 new twitter followers in 30 days? Check it out …“.

The truth is that this is just a Twitter pyramid scheme that encourages spam. I have spoken with a a lot of other level headed tweeps who agree that this program is spammy.

I personally manually approve every new follower before following back to keep my Twitter stream optimized at all times. I find new tweeps in relevant Twitter directories and via tweeps I am already following. Why would I be interested in a bunch of random new followers.

But that’s just how I tweet. My main quarrel is the spam. Please cut it out and note I will not follow you back if I see tweetergetter in your stream.

- Photo by atp_tyreseus

There are two main websites responsible for the auto DM epidemic, SocialToo and TweetLater. Both are great sites that have just been abused by their users.

Thankfully, both sites recognize the auto DM problem and have provided ways to opt out from receiving further communications via automated direct messages from their sites.

To put a complete stop from receiving these messages you should opt out from both sites.

Opting Out From SocialToo

SocialToo is currently the harder of the two to opt out from.

1. You will need to go to socialtoo.com and create an account.
2. Log In and click on “Change your Twitter and Facebook Preferences”
3. Navigate toward the bottom of the page and check next to “Turn off automatic Direct Messages from other SocialToo.com users?”

You should be all set. Now on to TweetLater.

Opting Out From TweetLater

1. Log in to Twitter.
2. Follow @OptMeOut. (@OptMeOut will follow you back shortly)
3. Once you receive an email stating you’ve been followed back, send a DM to @OptMeOut. (You can write whatever you want in the DM, it does not matter.)

That is all. You will receive a confirmation DM from @OptMeOut at which point you can unfollow them or just be on your way. The best part is that you do not need a TweetLater account to opt out.

* Update (8/3/2009) *

Here are a couple new services you can opt out from.

• SpyMaster
• Fun 140
• Twables

Waiting on @lolplaying to add a way to opt out from receiving auto-dms from their games. (see update below)

I can’t find who made Mobster World so I can’t ask them how to opt out.

Please let me know of any other services that send auto-dms on Twitter that also provide a way to opt out so I can add it to the list.

* Update (9/8/2009) *

Still no response from @lolplaying however they have provided an opt out for lolquiz.com